The Menomonee Falls, Wis. club was put up for sale by Waukesha County in 2019 after it had been marked for closure because of nearly 20 years of annual losses. The sale for $1.525 million to the Storm Family Group, a longtime operator of Milwaukee-area clubs, ensures that the property with an 18-hole golf course will not be developed. “We’re in it for the long haul,” said Storm Family partner Scott Schaefer while describing plans to acquire a new fleet of 60 golf cars, acquire a liquor license and expand dining. “Golf is definitely the main focus of our business, and we’re just trying to make it more of a complete experience.”
Wanaki Golf Course in Menomonee Falls, Wis., which had previously been run by Waukesha County (Wis.), is officially changing hands to an affiliate of the Storm Family Group, a longtime operator of Milwaukee-area clubs, beginning on November 30th, Greater Milwaukee Today (gmtoday.com) reported.
The club was put up for sale by the county in 2019 after it had been marked for closure because of nearly 20 years of annual losses. The sale to the Storm Family Group, which has been involved with the local golf industry for 68 years, was announced in June 2020 (https://clubandresortbusiness.com/wanaki-gc-bought-by-longtime-area-club-operator/).
Waukesha County Head of Parks Dale Shaver said the offer for the 18-hole course was $1,525,000, gmtoday.com reported.
“Waukesha County is thankful for the 50 years of providing high-quality golf at Wanaki,” Shaver added. “Our golf team was honored to serve so many who were learning the game, visiting or considered Wanaki their home course. We are thrilled to turn over the keys to the Storm family to continue Wanaki’s legacy.”
In anticipating the closing of the deal, Scott Schaefer, a Partner in the Storm Family Group, said “We’re excited to get our hands on it,” gmtoday.com reported..
Two coming changes, gmtoday.com reported, are a new fleet of 60 golf carts and a major expansion to food-and-beverage options within the clubhouse, along with a new bathroom.
“Most of the changes people are going to see will be the clubhouse,” Schaefer said. “Course-wise, really nothing is changing. Golf is definitely the main focus of our business, and we’re just trying to make it more of a complete experience.”
Food and beverages were previously available at the course, but options were limited, gmtoday.com reported. The plan is to acquire a full liquor license and establish a more complete dining experience with sit-down options, Schaefer said.
The course will open again in the spring as weather allows and construction in the clubhouse will begin right away, gmtoday.com reported.
Despite efforts to increase revenue, Wanaki GC operated at a loss for years, impacting the county’s other two courses, Naga-Waukee War Memorial and Moor Downs, which will remain open, gmtoday.com reported.
Under the sale, the new owner will take responsibility for all improvements and operations of the Wanaki course, gmtoday.com reported. Revenue generated from the remaining courses will be reinvested into the county’s golf course fund to improve the financial sustainability of those golf course operations. No tax dollars are used to support either course.
Former Wanaki Superintendent Mike Skenadore said he’s glad to see Wanaki will remain a golf course, gmtoday.comreported. He and others had been outspoken in their commitment to see that happen, fearing the county would opt to sell the land to a developer who might use it for residential properties.
“I’m glad that it’s staying a golf course because we need that,” he said. “We’ve lost too many golf courses nationwide.”
Schaefer thanked the groups who spoke out and voiced their concerns about the course’s future, gmtoday.com reported, while emphasizing the Storm Family Group’s commitment. “We’re definitely in this for the long haul,” he said.
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